Topic: Buying AFI 7 - Needing final advice from users (Read 3186 times)

AndreNapier · « **on:** February 13, 2009, 10:22:26 pm »

Hi guys,
On Monday I am planing to buy AFI 7. I have played with the system for couple hours before but look for an opinion of photogs that use it daily. I am looking for your valuable input about the camera. I am A75s user so I know the back quite well. Thanks

http://AndreNapier.com

BJNY · « **Reply #1 on:** February 13, 2009, 11:57:03 pm »

Having used the AFi 5 for six days, and the AFi-II 7 for one day.....

I'd look into getting a Maxwell or Brightscreen with etched 48x36
vertical and horizontal frames. I found the supplied acetate unusable
for accurate framing. I trimmed a Phase One acetate (for an RZ67) to fit,
and it was a great improvement, but it's another layer to focus through.

PocketWizard will announce smaller units next week
(see http://luminous-landscape.com/forum/index....st&p=259960 )
The current ones stick out on the side too much for my comfort.
Unfortunately, there's no hotshoe on the 45 degree prism,
and the shoe isn't "hot" on the still M.I.A. 90 degree finder.

Leaf offers an electronic cable release that plugs into their back.
A PocketWizard with the appropriate Hasselblad motor drive cable
will also fire the back/camera remotely over longer distances.

Lastly, I enjoyed having the revolving sensor capability of the AFi-II 7.
Not having to take the digital back off to change vertical<->horizontal orientation
was one less thing to do & worry about.

Good luck.
It's a very responsive system,
and its focusing screen makes it easy to manual focus when the subject/eyes are off-center.

Billy

H1/A75 Guy · « **Reply #2 on:** February 14, 2009, 12:04:12 am »

Hi Andre,

I don't get to use my AFi II 7 daily due to the day job, but it does get fondled daily, and gets used as much as I can.

I have a standard Schneider 2.8/80 AFD Xenotar HFT PQS, Schneider 2.8/50 AFD Super-Angulon HFT PQS, and thanks to your recommendation, a Rollei_Zeiss 2/110 MF Planar HFT PQ which arrived this week.

My input would be to consider the AFi II 7 for one reason only. With the location of the Verto sensor rotation knob on the bottom of the AFi II 7 you can easily and quickly manually focus and change sensor orientation (from portrait to landscape) with your left hand without ever taking your eye off the WLF. Rock solid and truly, truly amazing!

More good news. The AFi with the Zeiss 2/110 MF weighs-in at exactly six pounds. The muscle in your steel right arm won't atrophy with this combination. And with the adjustable camera grip it is unlikely you will ever set the camera down. Plus, you will look cool!

Until the AFi I never used a WLF or manual focus. I can say now that as long as my eyes work (and if Rollei can ship a -1.5 diopter for the WLF) I will not be purchasing the 45 or 90 degree finder. Manual focus through the WLF is joy, and IMO, auto focus is rendered irrelevant with the AFi.

Lenses for the AFi do not ship with pouches or lens hoods. Lens hoods are purchased separately. Hasselblad #2 Lens Pouches work perfectly for the Schneider/Rollei 2.8/50, 2/110, (and smaller) 2.8/80 glass.

You won't go wrong with either the AFI 7 or AFi II 7. Good to hear from you and your potential purchase! Keep us informed.

David

PS. The AFi II 7 is about 3/16" longer than the AFi 7 (to accommodate the rotating sensor).

H1/A75 Guy · « **Reply #3 on:** February 14, 2009, 07:02:38 pm »

Quote from: BJNY

I'd look into getting a Maxwell or Brightscreen with etched 48x36
vertical and horizontal frames. I found the supplied acetate unusable
for accurate framing. I trimmed a Phase One acetate (for an RZ67) to fit,
and it was a great improvement, but it's another layer to focus through.

The current AFi II focusing screen really does suck for the reason BJNY describes, ".. unusable for accurate framing".

Thus far, the AFi system has produced two standard focusing screens.

The original AFi focusing screen was flawless, with completely etched 48x36 vertical and horizontal frames. Then Rollei designed the second focusing screen which is now the new standard and does leave you guessing where you are.

Allot of the original focusing screens have been replaced on earlier AFi systems. AFi II's all got the second inferior focusing screen.

I talked to my dealer today and its our guess that a batch of the original, fully etched, focusing screens lies dumped in a drawer or file cabinet at Leaf America.

You will want the original, full etched, focusing screen.

David

uaiomex · « **Reply #4 on:** February 15, 2009, 12:50:24 am »

I'm so excited for you Andre.
You are acquiring the medium format camera for this century.

Enjoy it!
Eduardo

H1/A75 Guy · « **Reply #5 on:** February 15, 2009, 11:14:15 am »

Quote from: xinchenc

how about lens? any better than the AFD lens?

I can try and post results, but in the near future it would would be great to see a sample or two from Andre who would be the consummate-talent with the AFi/Zeiss 2/110 MF combination.

David

H1/A75 Guy · « **Reply #6 on:** February 15, 2009, 02:42:17 pm »

Final thoughts>

Life's short and it's only money.
Go crazy and get the AFi II 7.
It will turn the RZ/Aptus into a distant memory.
I would give anything to be able to use mine,
everyday.

David

BJNY · « **Reply #7 on:** February 15, 2009, 02:50:54 pm »

What's nice is an adapter plate 903-547 will allow the AFi digital back to fit onto an RZ67 (acting as backup camera system).

I'm curious what difference Andre expects between the two.

Billy

Author Topic: Buying AFI 7 - Needing final advice from users (Read 3186 times)